We are now onto week two of the NFL Season! Don't want to overreact to week one, but that doesn't mean you should completely ignore it either. Certain early trends seem to stick, while others don't.
But let's dive into some of my starts/sits for W2!
START - Julian Edelman (WR) @ SEA
One benefit of having Cam Newton as your QB instead of Tom Brady is the hyper-focusing of his targets, rather than spreading the ball so much like Brady did/does. In Week One, Edelman had a 36.8% target share which resulted in 7 targets. In a W2 matchup against a Seattle defense that allowed 450 Passing Yards the week before, Cam is bound to air it out more. Especially in a much more competitive primetime Sunday Night game, rather than a 1:00 Game running all over the Dolphins. N'Keal Harry even had a 31.6% Target Share and could be worth a look in deeper leagues as well!
START - Austin Ekeler (RB) vs KC
In his very first game, Ekeler did the unexpected. He carried the ball 19 Times and only had one target. I'm expecting more targets and less carries going into Week 2, in a game where they will constantly be fighting from behind rather than going back and forth. Ekeler's 19 carries must have been a career high, and it's a good sign because we already knew he was involved and exceeded at being a pass catcher, so 19 touches on the ground is encouraging.
START - Chris Herndon IV vs SF
The matchup may not be great on paper, but you have to imagine the Jets are playing from behind in this matchup, and given how Le'Veon Bell, Jamison Crowder, and Denzel Mims are all OUT, Herndon will be the biggest beneficiary of Darnold's constant check-downs to avoid pressure. Herndon already brought down 6/7 targets last week in the second half, while Crowder leaves 13 Targets on the table. Not expecting a huge game from Herndon, but wouldn't surprise me to see 7-9 catches on the day, which translates to fantasy points!
Other Starts explained on IG; Ronald Jones II vs CAR, Jared Cook @ LV
Desperate Starts explained on IG; Logan Thomas @ ARI, Corey Davis vs JAC
SIT - Melvin Gordon @ PIT
Gordon gets to try his hand against a Steelers run defense that held Saquon Barkley to 6 Yards on 15 Carries. Barkley was lucky enough to see 9 Targets, which ultimately salvaged his fantasy day, but I'm not too sure Gordon will be so lucky. Bronco's RBs in week one combined for a grand total of 5 targets, WITHOUT Courtland Sutton in the lineup. Even with Phillip Lindsay out, Gordon will need a TD to salvage his W2, and I'm not confident he can do that.
SIT - Mark Ingram @ HOU
This is actually a pretty good matchup, but there's extreme volume issues with Ingram. Mostly because of rookie (RB) J.K. Dobbins. Lamar doesn't really pass to his RBs much at all, and Dobbins was the one who landed two scores last week, not Ingram. There is a chance Ingram does well, but if I had both of him and Dobbins, I would lean Dobbins who also lead the Ravens RBs in snaps.
SIT - Antonio Gibson @ ARI
I like the upside and potential of rookie RB Antonio Gibson. But right now, there are just too many other factors in that backfield. Peyton Barber has taken over goal-line and early down work, while J.D. McKissic figures to filter in with a passing down role. Gibson has a good matchup, but he only played 26% of the offensive snaps behind both McKissic and Barber. Want to see more clarity in this backfield before I move him (Gibson) into my starting lineup.
Other Sits explained on IG; Carson Wentz vs LAR, Noah Fant @ PIT
Lower Expectations explained on IG; D.K. Metcalf vs NE, DeVante Parker vs BUF
BEST OF LUCK, AND MAY FORTUNE BE IN YOUR FAVOR!